On October 20, 2024, the Symposium to Commemorate the 110th Anniversary of the Launch of Four-Year Undergraduate Program for Agriculture in University of Nanking cum the Unveiling Ceremony of Zhang Zhiwen Library was rounded off at Binjiang Campus of Nanjing Agricultural University.

The event was attended by Cao Weixing, Standing Committee Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Deputy Director of the Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sports of the CPPCC, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and Vice President of the Western Returned Scholars Association; Hu Jinbo, Advisor to National Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Education; Qu Futian, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress and member of the Party Leadership Group; Zhou Jiannong, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial CPPCC; Wang Chunchun, Party Secretary of Nanjing Agricultural University; Chen Fadi, President of Nanjing Agricultural University; Zhang Anqiang, Honorary Alumnus of Nanjing Agricultural University and Chairman of Duolun Technology, along with some family representatives and leadership teams from both sides.

Leaders from various departments and colleges of Nanjing Agricultural University, staff representatives of Duolun Technology, and student representatives jointly witnessed this wonderful moment. The ceremony was presided over by Dong Weichun, Vice President of Nanjing Agricultural University.

Chen Fadi, President of Nanjing Agricultural University

In his opening remarks, President Chen Fadi of Nanjing Agricultural University stated that 110 years ago, China’s first four-year undergraduate agricultural education program was launched in Nanjing, marking the beginning of many “firsts” and “earliest” achievements in China’s history. Today marks the 110th anniversary of the launch of the first four-year undergraduate agricultural education program, coinciding with the unveiling ceremony of the library.

The library is named after Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, a renowned expert in agricultural extension and an educator in modern higher agricultural education in China. He has made profound contributions not only to China’s higher agricultural education but also to global agricultural development. The unveiling of the Zhang Zhiwen Library is not only a profound tribute to Mr. Zhang but also a continuation and development of his educational philosophy. Furthermore, President Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Zhang Zhiwen’s relatives for their concern and support for NAU’s construction and development.

A photo of Zhang Zhiwen at the 1939 Summer Agricultural Extension Seminar at University of Nanking

Zhang Anqiang, Chairman of Duolun Technology and grandson of Mr. Zhang Zhiwen

Zhang Anqiang, Chairman of Duolun Technology, sincerely thanked leaders at all levels, guests, colleagues, and units that facilitated the establishment of the Zhang Zhiwen Library. Naming this solemn and beautiful library after his grandfather, Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, represents not only great recognition and respect for Mr. Zhang Zhiwen personally but also reflects NAU’s gratitude and respect for all predecessors who have contributed to its development over generations.

At the event, AI technology was used to recreate Mr. Zhang Zhiwen, allowing him to engage in a cross-time dialogue with teachers and students present at the new campus library. As the scene unfolded, everyone seemed to traverse through time, making a century feel like an instant, with the spirit of Nanjing Agricultural University enduring through ages.

The Zhang Zhiwen Library, as a landmark building on Nanjing Agricultural University’s Binjiang Campus, is located at the center of the southern ceremonial axis of the new campus. It is the largest individual building in terms of scale, attention, and quality standards among projects in the first phase. With a gross floor area of 52,178 square meters, seven floors above ground, one floor underground, and a height of 35 meters, its overall design is grand and imposing, earning it the “Luban Prize”.

On October 18, 2020, Zhang Anqiang, Chairman of Duolun Technology, donated RMB 20 million in cash for the construction of the library. On June 18, 2022, the topping-out ceremony of the Zhang Zhiwen Library was held as scheduled.

With the witness of 110 students from Nanjing Agricultural University and representatives of Mr. Zhang Zhiwen’s descendants, the unveiling ceremony of the Zhang Zhiwen Library was rounded off. The ceremony and the unveiling of the Zhang Zhiwen bronze statue were presided over by Hu Feng.

Unveiling ceremony of the name of the Jang Zhiwen Library

The bronze statue of Zhang Zhiwen was erected at the ceremony

Representative of Mr. Zhang Zhiwen's relatives

Mr. Zhang Zhiwen's great-grandson, Mr. Zhang Daoyang, and student representatives presented flowers

The bronze statue of Zhang Zhiwen was erected at the ceremony

At the unveiling ceremony of the Zhang Zhiwen Library, additional activities took place, including the unveiling of the Zhang Zhiwen bronze statue and the gifting ceremony of Guo Tanxian Collection and Zhang Zhiwen Collection. The event concluded successfully with a poetry recitation titled Mr. Zhang Zhiwen on the Three Rural Issues, performed jointly by representatives of staff of Duolun Technology and students from Nanjing Agricultural University.

The gift ceremony of "The Anthology of the Ancestors" and "The Anthology of Zhang Zhiwen".

Poetry recitation "Mr. Zhang Zhiwen on the Three Farmers"

Bridging time and passing the torch. Influenced by the motto of “Integrity, Simplicity, Diligence and Benevolence” and the spirit of his grandfather, Chairman Zhang Anqiang leads the steady development of Duolun Technology that has become a leading smart industry listed group in China.

In the future, Duolun Technology will closely cooperate with Nanjing Agricultural University in talent training, school-enterprise cooperation, technological breakthroughs, etc., to jointly develop and help build NAU into a world-class university with distinctive agricultural features.